Confusion continues over Mannar bodies

[TamilNet, Monday, 19 July 1999, 03:48 GMT]The Judicial Medical Officer for Mannar, Dr. Emmanuel Peiris, in his post-mortem of the 37 persons killed during Operation Rana Gossa 4, said that they were wearing military uniforms.

The reports were submitted to the Additional Magistrate of Mannar, Caius Faldano, on Friday.

The Additional District Judge of Mannar has expressed shock over the post-mortem report and said that he would bring the issue to the District Judge, Mr. Ilancheliyan, sources said.

Caius Faldano viewed the bodies with Police officers and journalists before the post-mortem was carried out.

In a report written following the inspection of the bodies, Mr. Feldano said that 18 of the bodies were naked, 12 were not fully clothed while 6 wore clothes similar to military uniform.

The report further said that the clothes looked ill fitted and old.

The District Judge of Mannar also viewed the bodies.

Court sources have expressed shock over the contradictions between the JMOs report and the observation report from the Additional Magistrate, said sources.